Celebrating the 140th anniversary of its founding, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore is among the top six public HBCUs in the nation and number 13 overall of 78 HBCUs for 2026-27, U.S. News & World Report announced today.
The new ranking positions UMES nine spots higher than last year in the publication’s highly competitive public HBCU category.
“This year’s rankings demonstrate a clear commitment to the high education and research performance standards by UMES students, faculty and staff,” said Dr. Heidi M. Anderson, UMES president. “The continued appearance in the highest margins of U.S. News & World Report’s college ranking indicates a clear vision for success for all seeking higher education at UMES, which continues to become recognized as a world-class learning and research institution.”
For nearly 10 consecutive years, UMES has appeared in the Top-20 overall HBCU rankings with Anderson at the helm of the University in eight of those years. UMES has consistently moved up the rankings list for the last two decades.
Established in 1886, UMES is a public, 1890 land-grant, historically Black university committed to serving its students, with special focus on first-generation and underserved students. UMES provides educational, research, and community engagement opportunities to transform the lives of its students who will impact the state, the region, and the world. UMES graduates are a primary source for the Eastern Shore region’s healthcare workers, pilots, aviation mechanics, agri-business employees, law enforcement officers, and more.
UMES offers:
- 10 post-baccalaureate and upper division certificates
- 41 bachelor’s degree programs
- 19 master’s degree programs
- Six Ph.D. programs
- Four professional doctorate programs
Additionally, UMES is the:
- Only accredited college in the nation offering a four-year professional pilot program
- Only HBCU with a three-year pharmacy doctorate program in the country
- Only accredited four-year, public college in the nation offering a sequential arts program
- Only HBCU in the nation offering a PGA-certified professional golf management program
UMES is also seeking accreditation for a School of Veterinary Medicine, which would be the only standalone veterinary program in Maryland and the only veterinary medical school at a public HBCU in the nation.
For more information about UMES’ complete rankings, read here.
